Does Rick Rubin Affect Taylor Swift’s Ability to Sue Kanye West?

Producer Rick Rubin may play a key role in Taylor Swift’s ability to pursue legal action against Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, or not.

In the latest chapter of the Kanye West/Kim Kardashian vs. Taylor Swift conflict, Kim Kardashian released a video of West on the phone with Taylor Swift. During the conversation, Swift is on speakerphone.

The conversation confirms that Swift did in fact know about Kanye’s controversial verse on “Famous,” in which he raps “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b—- famous.”

Swift responded to the video of the conversation being posted with an Instagram post pointing out that at no point in the conversation does Kanye use word “b—-,” the part of the lyric she takes offense to. She also accuses Kanye and Kim of “character assassination.”

TMZ is reporting that Rubin can clearly be heard speaking during the conversation between West and Swift. The outlet also posits that members of West’s crew who were filming can be heard in the background as well.

California law states that it’s illegal to record a confidential communication. But that rule doesn’t apply to conversations where another party clearly overhears the information being exchanged.

Legal experts tell Radio.com this revelation may allow Kanye and Kim to avoid criminal charges, and it would also weaken an argument by Swift as to expectation of privacy. However, it does not stop Swift from bringing a civil action against either Kim or Kanye for defamation of character.

As there is no evidence she was aware of the term “b—-” being used, Swift is validated. However, her past characterization of the entire conversation may hurt her chances of proving defamation.

Swift has been silent since her scathing Instagram post, no word yet on if she will pursue legal retribution.